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Our physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of your
life. Persistent, chronic pain can be debilitating and take
the joy out of living; for some people, it makes getting
through each day nearly impossible. The Orthopaedic Center
is dedicated to improving life for those suffering from
chronic pain.
The Importance of Pain Management
Pain triggers a number of response systems in the body.
These response systems are designed to help the body deal
with the pain without injury; however, when prolonged, these
responses can also produce a number of harmful effects.
Studies have shown dramatic benefits to effective pain
management in the recovery period after an injury or
surgery. These benefits include quicker recuperation and
fewer complications.
 Types of Pain Problems
Our team provides outpatient evaluation and management of
patients with severe pain problems.
- Lower back and neck pain
- Disc pain of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine
- Arm and leg pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches from the neck
- Chronic pain
- Failed Back Syndrome (people with pain after multiple back surgeries)
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Arthritis
- Myofascial pain
- Facet Syndrome
Diagnostic Testing
Physicians at The Orthopaedic Center use the most advanced
diagnostic testing available to identify potential causes of
pain. Commonly used diagnostic tests available at The
Orthopaedic Center are:
- X-ray: Often the first test given to diagnose spinal
abnormalities.
- MRI Scan: Show soft tissue structures, such as ruptured
discs, the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve
roots, muscles and bones. MRI scans use a magnetic field and
a computer to reproduce its images. New machines cut test
times dramatically.
- EMG's (Electromyography) or NCS (Nerve Conduction
Studies): Helpful in evaluating leg or arm weakness,
numbness, pain and cramping. During these tests, a tiny
electric current is conducted through a muscle or skin and
the activity or transmission is monitored.
Pain is an agonizing reality to millions of Americans.
Treatment of chronic pain focuses on decreasing pain and
increasing your ability to function in your daily life.
Traditional methods of treatment include pain medications,
chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy or surgery.
Available at The Orthopaedic Center are new, effective
methods of pain relief.
Treatments Offered
- Botox Injections: Provides targeted relief of symptoms for the treatment of neck pain and abnormal head position in Cervical Dystonia
- Highly Selective Epidural Injections
- Facet Joint Injections: Cervical, thoracic and lumbar
- Intramuscular Injections
 Preparing for your Procedure
- If you are scheduled for a procedure, do not eat for 4
hours before your scheduled appointment time. You may have
clear liquids for up to 2 hours before your appointment.
Clear liquids include water, fruit juices without pulp,
carbonated beverages, clear tea and black coffee.
- Continue to take all other prescribed medications with a
small sip of water. Bring all medications with you to your
appointment.
- If you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as
Coumadin, heparin, plavix, aggrenox, or aspirin, tell the
appointment scheduler so you can receive specific
instructions.
- If you have diabetes, be sure to request a morning
appointment. Do not take your morning insulin, but bring it
with you. If necessary, your blood glucose level will be
checked once you arrive for your appointment.
- You will need to make arrangements for a responsible adult
to drive you home after the procedure. The medication given
during the procedure may cause drowsiness, making it unsafe
for you to drive or operate machinery.
- If you are scheduled for a special procedure:
- Do not smoke for 4 hours before your scheduled
appointment.
- Do not use skin lotions at all the day of the procedure.
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